Free Babysitting Cover with SCMA Insurance

With your skills, expertise and experience, it’s not unusual for a childminder to be approached by a family to provide an occasional babysitting service - but do you know if you’re covered for babysitting?

Some insurance providers may charge you extra to include a babysitting extension to your basic PLI policy. SCMA’s insurance is different…

SCMA members can purchase their essential Public Liability Insurance (PLI) – designed specifically for childminders in Scotland - for only £35 per year. In addition, you can also enjoy peace of mind, knowing that your PLI will also cover you for any babysitting services you wish to provide – at no extra cost.

Babysitting children in the family’s home is included with your SCMA PLI provided that you complete a SCMA Babysitting Checklist (available from the Members Zone at childminding.org). Full details and guidance is available on the Babysitting Checklist.

Read our PLI Policy Summary here.

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I’m a Registered Childminder (with insurance from another provider)
SCMA members who are registered childminders and who have purchased PLI from another provider are not covered for babysitting. They should ask their insurer what they need to do to make sure they are insured when babysitting. In many cases they will need to purchase a separate policy for babysitting.

Is babysitting different from childminding?
Yes. As a childminder you are registered to operate a childminding service from your own home. Childminders are regularly inspected, must comply with regulations and policies from the Care Inspectorate and must be a member of the PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) scheme.

Babysitters are not registered with any regulating body, do not hold PVG membership and are not required to follow any guidance or procedures. Sometimes a childminder may be asked to provide a babysitting service for parents on an occasional basis, and this will usually take place in the child’s own home - a place where a SCMA member may not be familiar with.

It is important that the childminder takes time to assess the possible risks, and completing our Babysitting Checklist is designed exactly for that purpose.